The Tshwane metro has warned residents to be on alert of scammers who charge them application fees for their latest social housing project in the Marabastad area.

“We would like to notify residents to be on alert of a possible scam by individuals who impersonate and act as agents or officials of the Housing Company Tshwane (HCT),” Tshwane human settlements MMC Mpho Mehlape-Zimu said.

“These unscrupulous individuals are alleged to be going around Tshwane charging residents application fees for the metro’s Marabastad Townlands Social Housing Project.”

She emphasized that the application process was “free of charge”.

Applications for the metro’s latest housing project begun on 20 September and closed at the beginning of this month on October 1, 2021.

The multimillion-rand social housing project is managed by HCT, a housing entity of the Tshwane metro. It consists of 1 200 mixed units.

“The project is set to benefit residents who do not qualify for government-sponsored housing nor earn enough to qualify for home loans – earning between R1 500 and R15 000 per month,” she explained.

Mehlape-Zimu said while the HCT had received an overwhelming response from applicants and were thankful, the HCT wished to remind them that:

– The screening and vetting process has started in earnest and should be concluded by October 26.

– Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified whether their application was successful by October 28.

– All successful applicants in the pre-screening phase will be invited to attend a compulsory information session.

The details of the session will be communicated via SMS or email by HCT.

“Applicants are further reminded that the project is purely for rental with no option for ownership,” Mehlape-Zimu said.

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